The GoFundeMe project this year is all about solo guitar. It features two suites both in four movements, plus a tribute to the great Paraguayan guitarist Agustín Barrios. Because of the nature of these recordings, they will be manufactured using black 180 gram vinyl for superior sound quality. Crowdfunders who contribute $100 Pure Nickel Level or more will receive a signed copy of the album, 2 passes to our listening party at Executive Stereo June 4, and a digital download of the new David Barrett Trio epic, There Are Faces In The Stones, produced by Terry Brown. In addition, contributors of $250 Phosphor Bronze Level or more will also receive a download of my first eBook, The Inner Life Of Sound, and 2 passes to a special eBook release party and GED Talk (Guitar, Entertainment, Design). Contributors of $500 Silver Plated Level or more can host a Solo Acoustic House Concert anywhere in Southern Ontario. Everyone is invited to attend the New Saugeen Solo Concert at Lee Lifeson Artpark June 18!

Here’s the story:

Over the course of the last year I’ve released three solo acoustic guitar EP’s: The Cedar Box Suite, Six Silver Moonbeams, and New Saugeen. They were made available digitally with the intention of the music eventually appearing together on vinyl. Side one features classical guitar, while side two is performed on a dreadnought steel string. My 1978 Takamine classical was given to me in 1980 by my parents, and for many years I had sought after a matching 1978 Takamine steel string. While in Mexico in the fall of 2018, I broke my truss rod on my Martin while trying to fix the high action caused by the humid climate. On the flight home I wondered about the likelihood of finding my matching guitar. The next day I went to my local pawn shop only to find a 1978 Takamine dreadnought hanging in the store, with a price tag of $200.00. I took it home and wrote New Saugeen while tuned to DADGAD.

I love playing solo acoustic concerts, especially outdoors. The last few years I’ve had some amazing moments playing Lee Lifeson Artpark in Toronto, Rush Camp in the Poconos, and Sotuta de Peón in the Yucatán. I’ve always dreamed of the day I reach over to the turntable and put on an entire album of my solo guitar compositions. Listening to the classical guitar on A Farewell To Kings (Rush) and Tales From Topographic Oceans (Yes) changed my life and made me want to have my very own classical guitar. Liona Boyd, and John Williams inspired me to learn to play The Deer Hunter (Stanley Myers), and Prelude In C Minor (Barrios). After 40 years of playing solo guitar, I feel excited to have these recordings mastered by Grammy Award winner Peter J. Moore and pressed to 180 gram vinyl. Paul Reid at HotHouse Creative has designed the package with photography shot in Mexico among 17th-century ruins. The primitive pastel art is by yours truly.

Thanks to all my family and friends that have contributed so generously in the past. I’ve been asked several times when the next crowdfunding campaign is happening and I wanted to let everyone know how thankful I am for your interest, and your financial support in making these albums materialize. You guys are the best!

Thank you!



New Saugeen

Side A

1. The Cedar Box Suite:
      I. This Actually Happened
      II. The Personal Life
      III. Philodendron
      IV. Solo
2. Six Silver Moonbeams

Side B

1. New Saugeen:
     I New Saugeen
     II. Dreadnought
     III. The Meticulous Construction Of Absurdity
     IV. Epilogue 

Produced by David Barrett
Mastered by Peter J. Moore at The E Room
Design Paul Reid @ HotHouse Creative Inc.